Giants receiver Victor Cruz is likely out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right leg while reaching for an Eli Manning pass in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Eagles.
So what exactly is the patellar tendon?
1. The Patellar Tendon Connects the Knee to the Shin
As the American Academy for Orthopaedic Surgeons explains, the patellar tendon connects the patella (knee) to the Tibia (shin bone) and is a key part in the leg moving properly.
The AAOS describes it as such:
The patellar tendon works with the muscles in the front of your thigh – the quadriceps – to straighten your leg.
Although anyone can injure the patellar tendon, tears are more common among middle-aged people who play running or jumping sports.
A complete tear of the patellar tendon is a disabling injury. It usually requires surgery to regain full knee function.
2. Recovering From a Patellar Tear Is As Hard as Recovering From an ACL Tear
Recovery from patellar tendon rupture as hard as from ACL but less long term issues. Earliest return is 2015 preseason. #VictorCruz @Giants
David Chao, an orthopaedic surgeon with extensive experience in sports medicine, tweeted that recovery from patellar injuries is as hard as recovery from ACL injuries, but with less long-term issues.
Patella tendon tear requires open surgery with incision. ACL done arthroscopically thru small holes. Long recovery. Definite IR for CRUZ.
Rehab is lengthy for patella tendon repair. Minimum 6 weeks to even bend knee. Start run at 6 months. Long road. 2015 season. #victorcruz
3. Cruz Is Almost Certainly Out for the Season
NBC’s Michele Tafoya reported during the network’s telecast of the game that Cruz was headed to a Philadelphia hospital for treatment and that he would likely be released Monday. He was being accompanied by his wife and brother-in-law, Tafoya said.
Chao tweeted that Cruz should have a full recovery, but that won’t come until 2015.
4. Athletes Who Rupture a Patellars Typically Can’t Move The Impacted Leg
The Sports Injury Clinic has this description for a ruptured tendon:
Patellar tendon ruptures are extremely painful and may be accompanied with an audible ‘pop’ at the time of injury. There will be swelling of the knee, particularly at the bottom of the knee over the tendon. The athlete will be unable to put weight on the knee or hold the knee in a straightened position.
Fortunately, the preliminary diagnosis for Cruz is a tear rather than a rupture.
5. Cruz Isn’t the 1st Athlete This Year to Tear His Pateller
Garrett Richards is carted off the field after injuring his leg while covering first against the Red Sox. (Getty)
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke points out that several other prominent athletes have had their seasons ended by torn patellers this year.
Torn patellar tendon is same injury that just ended Morris Claiborne’s season. Sam Baker, too. And Garrett Richards, if you’re an MLB fan.
Among those who have suffered the injury are including Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne, who suffered the injury Week 4 against the Saints, Falcons left tackle Sam Baker, who tore his right patellar during the preseason, and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Garrett Richards, who went down with a patellar tear while covering first base in a game at Boston in August.